Measurement of fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of some threshold reactions on europium: small scale production of no-carrier-added153Sm in a nuclear reactor

Abstract

SummaryEmploying the activation technique in combination with radiochemical separations and high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections were measured for several (n, 2n), (n, p) and (n, α) reactions on isotopes of europium. Our measurements constitute the first systematic studies. Of special interest was the investigation of153Eu(n, p)153Sm reaction for the production of no-carrier-added153Sm in a nuclear reactor. Using 100% enriched153Eu target, 97.21 MBq153Sm per batch can be produced which is, however, not sufficient for medical application.